Wreaths on Kansas City veterans’ graves at Leavenworth are not ‘Christian gang signs’

On Dec. 6, The Star published in its online Extra Extra section a story about growing objections to Wreaths Across America, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that places wreaths on the graves of military veterans in thousands of cemeteries around the nation. This year’s Wreaths Across America Day is Dec. 18, when organizers expect to lay nearly 2 million of the fresh evergreen decorations.

As a veteran who plans to be buried in a veterans cemetery and has family members buried at Leavenworth National Cemetery, I would like to answer Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, who was quoted in the story arguing that these wreaths are “an atrocity and disgrace” and a “fundamentalist Christian gang sign.” His group contends they pay homage to Christianity and the Christmas holiday.

Are we so petty and bored that we desperately seek out things to be offended by? A wreath? A symbol that has been used at least since ancient Greece? Wreaths that have been used in non-Christian memorials for deceased military members for hundreds of years?

Weinstein said: “These veterans have given their all for this country, and they can’t fight back now. We’re going to continue fighting for them.” I am alive, a veteran and can fight for myself. I believe he should butt out. Stop making an issue from a non-issue that brings joy to families of veterans by letting them know their loved ones are not forgotten.

My mother looks forward to the wreaths at the Leavenworth cemetery and hopes one day they will decorate the entire section where her husband and son are interred. We are lucky to live close to the cemetery and to be able to place our own remembrances. Should I move or be unable to decorate my family and friends’ graves, I would be thankful for an organization such as Wreaths Across America and the people who support that effort in remembering our veterans and all they gave to this county.

The deceased do not know a wreath was placed on their grave — but to the family who visits the grave, it means the sacrifices of their loved ones have been physically remembered by others.

What is next, Mr. Weinstein? We can’t put American flags on our veterans’ graves for Memorial Day? The president can no longer place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery? The story noted that if any individual cemetery has a policy not to decorate graves of Jewish veterans, then no wreath is placed there. I guess it is too hard for Weinstein and his organization to take issue with individual cemetery policy and instead try to punish the millions of deceased veterans and their families who are honored during this season of supposed joy, remembrance and giving.

This story was originally published December 9, 2021 at 5:00 AM.